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Mechanism of antifoaming action of simethicone
Author(s) -
Brečević Ljerka,
BošanKilibarda Ingrid,
Strajnar Franjo
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of applied toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.784
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1099-1263
pISSN - 0260-437X
DOI - 10.1002/jat.2550140311
Subject(s) - pulmonary surfactant , defoamer , surface tension , polydimethylsiloxane , biofouling , chemical engineering , cationic polymerization , chemistry , chromatography , materials science , dispersant , organic chemistry , membrane , biochemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , optics , engineering , dispersion (optics)
The mechanism of the foam‐inhibiting action of simethicone, mainly used against flatulence, has been studied. Its effect on foaming systems containing synthetic gastric juice and a surface‐active substance (anionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, soap solution) was quantitated by measuring the surface tension, foam stability and initial foam density. The effect of simethicone on each of the examined systems was the result of the combination of two actions: the drainage of liquid from foam films and the rupture of relatively thick liquid films. The mechanism of these actions may be described as the liquid drainage followed by bridging of the liquid film by polydimethylsiloxane droplets, helped by hydrophobic silica particles also present in the antifoaming agent, leading to the rupture of the film surface and air escape.